This easy Beef Nachos recipe is the best for a quick, satisfying meal or snack. Learn how to make beef nachos with all your favorite toppings and simple steps!
If nachos aren’t making an appearance on your dinner table of late, then, my friend, you are passing up a surefire weeknight win. And who doesn’t need that when all seems lost? So picture it: crunchy tortilla chips spread over a baking sheet, smothered in savory ground beef and smooth refried beans before being blanketed under a layer of stringy melted cheese. Finish with the zest of salsa, richness of sour cream, freshness of guacamole. We are using this recipe to show how one can go about making beef nachos so that every chip just gets right.
Why You’ll Love It
- Effortless and Mouthwatering: these nachos strike that perfect balance between homemade goodness and convenience. Throw together the freshest ingredients with some store-bought staples, and voilà, you have a delicious meal to go with your busy schedule. Whether you are feeling pressed for time or feeling like a kitchen genius, these nachos will be able to adapt to just about any given energy level.
- Ingenious for Easy Eating: Ever struggle with toppings sliding off your nachos? This ground beef for nachos recipe solves that with a clever twist. The seasoned blend of ground beef and refried beans clings to the chips, keeping everything in place. Plus, there’s plenty of shredded cheese to ensure those satisfying melty pulls without the risk of soggy chips.
How to Make recipe for beef nachos
Tortilla Chips: You want thick chips that can handle everything piled on top without crumbling under the pressure. Save the dainty, thin chips for salsa or quest-you want heavyweight chips for nachos..
Ground Beef: The key to perfectly browned ground beef is not to stir it too much. Let the meat just sit there and sizzle, undisturbed, so that it can really build up that depth of flavor and a browned color that just makes you want more.
Refried Beans: Whole beans can be just a little too rebellious, rolling off the chip before you ever get them in your mouth. Blending refried beans into the hamburger keeps all chips in place for that perfect load.
Taco Seasoning: Be it reaching for your favorite packet from the store or mixing up a homemade blend, taco seasoning brings an important layer of spice to your nachos.
Cheese: Shredded cheese is your best friend here. It comes out beautifully from the oven and doesn’t make your chips soggy, which sometimes happens with quest or nacho cheese sauce.
Toppings: Go nuts and customize with an array of toppings-homemade and store-bought. Think fresh salsa (okay, a quick blender salsa is fine too), classic guacamole or sliced avocados, sour cream, jalapeños-fresh or pickled, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Craving Taco Bell-style nachos? This beef nachos recipe brings the iconic flavors of Taco Bell nachos right to your kitchen. Get ready to enjoy your own nacho taco bell experience at home!
Tips for the Best Beef Nachos
Prepare the Beef and Bean Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add taco seasoning, refried beans, and a splash of water. Stir it all together, cooking until warmed through and well combined.
Layer the Nachos: On a baking sheet lined with foil for ease of clean-up, spread half your tortilla chips. Dot them with spoons of beef-and-bean mix, then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese. Repeat the layering process with chips, beef, beans, and again cheese.
Bake: Place baking sheet under broiler and bake until chips are crunchy and cheese is totally melted. Serve nachos as is or run wild with your favorite toppings!
Helpful Swaps for the Best Beef Nachos
- Cheese: Shredding your own is worth it for the best beef nachos, as you will get those perfect melty strands. However, if you are in a hurry, pre-shredded will suffice, and a Mexican blend is a nice choice. It saves good time and gives great results.
- Seasoning: The homemade seasoning mixes are excellent in clearing off spices, but in the case of best beef nachos, store-bought Taco Seasoning packets work just fine. It’s easy this way and would fill your nachos with flavor.
- Protein: Want a leaner alternative? Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef in your nacho recipe. This substitution does not change anything, yet produces some of the best beef nachos-or turkey nachos.
Make-Ahead Tips for the Best Beef Nachos
- Prepare in Advance: The beef-and-bean mixture can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the mixture on the stovetop. Heating first makes it much easier to spread the mixture over the chips, and it insures that it will be hot enough to serve.
- Portion Control: This recipe will serve an extremely large group of people. If it is for fewer people, half of the beef/bean mixture can be frozen for another meal. When ready to be used, just use half the chips and cheese to assemble a smaller batch.
- Serve Fresh: Nachos are best when they are served hot, fresh from the oven. They don’t store too well in the fridge after they are assembled, so dig in for the ultimate nacho experience!
Beef Nachos Recipe
Course: Breakfast Recipes8
servings15
minutes25
minutesThis easy beef nachos recipe delivers flavorful, cheesy perfection in every bite. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing dish that you can customize with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
12 ounces shredded sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican-blend cheese, or a combination (about 3 cups)
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
1 (1-ounce) packet or 3 tablespoons
1/2 cup water
1 (12- to 16-ounce) bag tortilla chips, not thin and crispy
Instructions
- Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil if desired for easy cleanup.
- If needed, grate 12 ounces sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 3 cups), or measure out 3 cups store-bought shredded cheese.
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound lean ground beef and cook, breaking the beef up with a wooden spoon into crumbles and stirring occasionally, until cooked through and browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add 1 (16-ounce) can refried beans, 1 (3-ounce) packet taco seasoning, and 1/2 cup water. Stir until combined and warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Arrange 1/2 (12- to 16-ounce) bag of tortilla chips on the baking sheet in an even layer with some overlap. Evenly dollop half of the beef mixture over the chips, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Repeat layering the remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheese.
- Bake until the cheese melts, the edges of the chips begin to turn golden, and the nachos are heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Top evenly with desired toppings such as salsa, avocado or guacamole, pickled or fresh jalapeños, sour cream, and fresh cilantro leaves.
Notes
- Make ahead: The beef and bean mixture can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat over low heat until warmed through before assembling the nachos.
Serving size variation: This recipe can easily be halved for serving a smaller group. Prepare the full amount of the beef mixture and freeze half for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and warm before adding to nachos.
Storage: Nachos are best eaten immediately, but leftover components can be refrigerated in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days. - you can also check Breakfast Almond Flour Tortillas Recipe
Nutrition Facts
8 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories843
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
51.9g
80%
- Saturated Fat 17.3g 87%
- Sodium 1221.2mg 51%
- Protein 34.7g 70%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
